Columbus GA vs Independence MO — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Columbus, GA
Georgia · Population: 204,383
- Median HH Income$56,622
- Median Home Price$175,194
- Unemployment6.5%
- Bachelor's+29.7%
Independence, MO
Missouri · Population: 121,944
- Median HH Income$59,480
- Median Home Price$210,384
- Unemployment6.0%
- Bachelor's+20.9%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Columbus
204,383
Columbus +
Independence
121,944
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Columbus
N/A
Independence
N/A
Median Age
Columbus
35.1
Columbus +
Independence
38.4
Foreign Born
Columbus
5.3%
Independence
5.3%
Independence +
White
Columbus
39.3%
Independence
72.2%
Independence +
Black
Columbus
46.7%
Columbus +
Independence
10.8%
Asian
Columbus
2.6%
Columbus +
Independence
1.4%
Hispanic
Columbus
8.3%
Independence
12.4%
Independence +
Spanish at Home
Columbus
N/A
Independence
N/A
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 204,383 | 121,944 | Columbus + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 35.1 | 38.4 | Columbus + |
| Foreign Born | 5.3% | 5.3% | Independence + |
| White | 39.3% | 72.2% | Independence + |
| Black | 46.7% | 10.8% | Columbus + |
| Asian | 2.6% | 1.4% | Columbus + |
| Hispanic | 8.3% | 12.4% | Independence + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Columbus
$56,622
Independence
$59,480
Independence +
Per Capita Income
Columbus
$32,811
Columbus +
Independence
$31,683
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Columbus
$57,405
Independence
$58,527
Independence +
Unemployment Rate
Columbus
6.5%
Independence
6.0%
Independence +
Poverty Rate
Columbus
18.8%
Independence
15.3%
Independence +
Bachelor's Degree+
Columbus
29.7%
Columbus +
Independence
20.9%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $56,622 | $59,480 | Independence + |
| Per Capita Income | $32,811 | $31,683 | Columbus + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $57,405 | $58,527 | Independence + |
| Unemployment Rate | 6.5% | 6.0% | Independence + |
| Poverty Rate | 18.8% | 15.3% | Independence + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 29.7% | 20.9% | Columbus + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Columbus
$175,194
Columbus +
Independence
$210,384
Homeownership Rate
Columbus
50.2%
Independence
61.0%
Independence +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $175,194 | $210,384 | Columbus + |
| Homeownership Rate | 50.2% | 61.0% | Independence + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
392
Columbus +
Independence
501
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Columbus
1752
Columbus +
Independence
2418
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 392 | 501 | Columbus + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 1752 | 2418 | Columbus + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
40.3%
Independence
37.3%
Independence +
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Columbus
15.5%
Independence
12.9%
Independence +
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Columbus
19.1%
Columbus +
Independence
19.9%
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Columbus
14.8%
Independence
11.5%
Independence +
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Columbus
13.9%
Columbus +
Independence
16.8%
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Columbus
16.1%
Columbus +
Independence
18.4%
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 40.3% | 37.3% | Independence + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.5% | 12.9% | Independence + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 19.1% | 19.9% | Columbus + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 14.8% | 11.5% | Independence + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 13.9% | 16.8% | Columbus + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.1% | 18.4% | Columbus + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
64.4°F
Independence
54.5°F
Independence +
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Columbus
49.6 in
Independence
43.7 in
Independence +
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.4°F | 54.5°F | Independence + |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 49.6 in | 43.7 in | Independence + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Columbus
9.8 µg/m³
Independence
9.3 µg/m³
Independence +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Columbus
55.0%
Independence
55.0%
Tie
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 9.8 µg/m³ | 9.3 µg/m³ | Independence + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 55.0% | 55.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Columbus
21.6 min
Columbus +
Independence
25.5 min
| Metric | Columbus, GA | Independence, MO | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 21.6 min | 25.5 min | Columbus + |
Which City is Right for You?
Independence leads in median household income at $59,480, while columbus offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $175,194. On public safety, Columbus is safer with a violent crime rate of 392 per 100,000 residents, compared to 501 in Independence. Independence has a lower unemployment rate at 6.0%, and Independence has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 9.3 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Independence scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.3%.
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